Robbery Suspects Sought

DIGEST

The armed robbery took place shortly before 8 a.m. at the Service Merchandise store, 2999 N. State Road 7, deputies said. As the store manager was unlocking the front door for an employee, two men wearing ski masks and brandishing handguns burst through the door.

The gunmen ordered nine employees into a back room, deputies said. One of the suspects fired a shot into the air, apparently to intimidate the workers, deputies said. Another suspect hit one of the employees in the face. The employee was not seriously injured, deputies said.

A third suspect may have entered the store as the employees were herded into the office, deputies said. The manager was forced to open the safe and the robbers grabbed a large amount of cash before fleeing, deputies said.